Louisiana Hummingbirds: 14 Awesome Documented Species

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This article identifies all hummingbirds documented as seen in Louisiana and where they are seen in the state. It further identifies if that specific hummingbird species is a year-round resident, a seasonal visitor, or a rare vagrant hummingbird seen in Louisiana.

Which Species Of Louisiana Hummingbirds Are Found In The State?

There are 14 species of hummingbirds documented as seen in Louisiana.
Louisiana hummingbirds listed in order of frequency seen are Ruby-throated, Rufous, Buff-bellied, Black-chinned, Calliope, Broad-tailed, Broad-billed, Allen’s, Blue-throated, Anna’s, Mexican violetear, Rivoli’s, Green-breasted Mango, and Lucifer hummingbirds.

Listed In The Order Of Frequency Seen:

These are the Louisiana statistics at the end of 2023, as reported by eBird.org.
Click the “Documented” link above to see current Louisiana stats.

Hummingbirds:	Number Seen:	Documented:
Ruby-throated	53,993	Documented
Rufous	6,931	Documented
Buff-bellied	2,853	Documented
Black-chinned	2,841	Documented
Calliope	1,346	Documented
Broad-tailed	477	Documented
Broad-billed	246	Documented
Allen’s	245	Documented
Blue-throated	106	Documented
Anna’s	96	Documented
Mexican violetear	13	Documented
Rivoli’s	3	Documented
Green-breasted Mango	2	Documented
Lucifer	1	Documented
Total Seen:	69,153

These 14 hummingbird species found in Louisiana are further categorized into three groups: Year-Round Residents, Seasonal visitors, and Rare/Vagrant visitors.

Hummingbird:	Year-Round, Seasonal, Rare/Vagrant
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Year-round resident
Rufous Hummingbird	Seasonal resident
Buff-bellied Hummingbird	Seasonal resident
Black-chinned Hummingbird	Seasonal resident
Calliope Hummingbird	Seasonal resident
Broad-tailed Hummingbird	Rare vagrant resident
Broad-billed Hummingbird	Rare vagrant resident
Allen’s Hummingbird	Rare vagrant resident
Blue-throated Hummingbird	Rare vagrant resident
Anna’s Hummingbird	Rare vagrant resident
Mexican Violetear Hummingbird	Rare vagrant resident
Rivoli’s Hummingbird	Rare vagrant resident
Green-breasted Mango Hummingbird	Rare vagrant resident
Lucifer Hummingbird	Rare vagrant resident

For more information on Louisiana hummingbirds:
Read my article: Louisiana Hummingbird Migration

Louisiana Hummingbirds That Are Year-Round Residents

The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird that lives in Louisiana year-round.

This hummingbird classification is defined as year-round residents residing in Louisiana 365 days a year.

Ruby-Throated

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD – (Archilochus colubris)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Archilochus
Species: A. colubris

Scientist Carl Linnaeus of Sweden is credited with giving the Ruby-throated Hummingbird its scientific name. He initially classified the species as “Trochilus colubris.” Its name was revised more than a century later when German botanist Ludwig Reichenbach classed it as “Archilochus colubris,” which is now its scientific name and means “sky spirit/sun-god bird” or “top thief.”

Male Ruby-throated hummingbirds:
The beautiful iridescent blood-red gorget of male ruby-throated hummingbirds ends at the neck.
His distinctive features are black wings, a light gray underbelly, and a dull metallic green topside.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a tiny species of hummingbird, measuring 2.8 to 3.3 inches in length and weighing less than 4.5 grams, or two U.S. dimes.
They live for three to five years on average.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female Ruby-throated hummingbirds:
Ruby-throated hummingbird females are usually larger than males, with a white throat stippled with light spots.
Ruby-throated hummingbird’s life expectancy is roughly three to five years.
The oldest female Ruby-throated hummingbird on record, at nine years old, is nearly twice as old as the male life expectancy.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Note: The pollen on her head and beak. This female Ruby-throated hummingbird has been busy pollinating and drinking nectar from flowers to sustain her high metabolism.

Juvenile Ruby-throated hummingbirds:
Early-life Ruby-throated hummingbird juveniles, both male and female, have a white throat with faint stippling, just like their mother.

As the males mature, they begin to display a few specks of color near their neckline, and eventually, their bolder red throat feathers become more dominant and stately, displaying a colorful gorget.

Note: His throat feathers are slowly coming in, displaying a few dots of color near his neckline and showing the first stages of adolescence.

Note: These two juvenile Ruby-throated hummingbirds are playing nice and sharing a feeder.
This could be because they are siblings or just getting the courage to find food on their own.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

Baby Ruby-throated hummingbirds:
Baby Ruby-throated hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.

Note: The newly white fluffy down feathers on this baby Ruby-throated hummingbird’s bottom.
Also, notice the nice fat reserves they have accumulated by being fed by their diligent mother which will sustain them through adolescence.

To see the current sighting map of Louisiana’s year-round resident, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Ruby-throated hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

78% of all Louisiana hummingbird sightings will be Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana, 7,800 will be of the Ruby-throated hummingbird.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird migrates via two different routes in the spring and fall.

The first migration route takes them directly, via the Gulf of Mexico, southwest to Mexico, where they travel nonstop and exhaustingly until they reach Central America for the winter.  Over 500 miles is the flight distance over the Gulf of Mexico. Despite being the direct “short” route, these birds must overcome many difficulties.
The total direct flight from Alexandria, Louisiana to Panama City, Panama is 1,747 miles.

Not being able to rest, not having access to food or fuel, and needing to steer clear of the severe tropical Atlantic hurricanes while traveling to their destination are some of the challenges faced when flying over the Gulf of Mexico. To exacerbate the situation, they migrate during the night or are conducting a “Red-eye flight,” depending on your point of view.

Even though both sexes double their body fat before beginning their arduous transoceanic migratory pattern across the Gulf of Mexico, researchers think that males’ energy consumption is more taxing due to their small stature.

The second migration route all over land, is 3,079 miles, flying along the coastline outlining the Gulf of Mexico. Although this is the “long” route, it allows the opportunity to rest and refuel even though there are fewer food source guarantees along the way.

Scientists are unclear and continue to investigate why one group of birds would prefer to take one route over the other.
See my article: Hummingbird Migration in Louisiana

The most likely hummingbirds to be seen in a Louisiana winter would be the Rufous, Black-chinned, Buff-bellied, and Calliope hummingbirds.

The majority of people are unaware of how tolerant hummingbirds are of chilly weather.

According to eBird.org, through branding practices in Wisconsin, the Ruby-throated and Rufous hummingbirds have been documented surviving in temperatures of -9F and wind chills of -36F.
See my article: 3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

To provide the many hummingbirds that spend the winter in Louisiana access to life-sustaining nectar, several Louisiana hummingbird enthusiasts keep their hummingbird feeders up all winter long.

This altruistic deed also supplies nectar to other migrating species that are too injured or elderly to travel.
Read my article: 11 DIY Ways to Keep Hummingbird Nectar From Freezing

The Ruby-throated hummingbird is a common sight in parks, gardens, and backyards. It prefers open forests. Except for the breeding season, when they become ferociously territorial and hostile against hummingbirds of other species, they are solitary birds.

Despite their aggressive nature, these hummingbirds are eaten by predators like dragonflies, big crustaceans, praying mantises, and orb-weaver spiders.
Read my article: 10 Common Things That Kill Hummingbirds

Nine years and one month was the oldest known living female Ruby-throated hummingbird, found during a capture and release banding operation in West Virginia.
Read my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Louisiana Hummingbirds That Are Seasonal

There are four Louisiana hummingbirds classified as Seasonal hummingbirds.
They are the Rufous, Buff-bellied, Black-chinned, and Calliope hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds that fit within this category are those that migrate through Louisiana on a spring or fall emigration basis.
Hummingbirds move south to spend the winter in Mexico and Central America in the fall, after migrating north in the spring to reproduce.

Due to their preference, an ailment, or advanced age, certain seasonal hummingbirds may spend the whole winter in the state.

To see a current sighting map of Louisiana’s seasonal hummingbirds, click the links below:

Rufous Hummingbird:

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD – (Selasphorus rufus)

Conservation Status: Near threatened
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Selasphorus
Species: S. rufous

The Latin word rubrum, which means “red,” is the source of the Rufous Hummingbird’s name due to its reddish-brown color.

Male Rufous hummingbirds:
The orange-red gorget of a male rufous hummingbird is iridescent, and their tail and sides have a rusty hue. Their underside is beige to white, and their bill is black. Along with chocolate brown dorsal feathers, males can also have green plumage with green spots on their rustic-looking backs or on the summit of their heads.
They weigh 3.2 grams and range in length from 2.8 to 3.5 inches.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Note: The gorget appears chocolate brown in this lighting, however, you can still see a glimmer of his iridescent orange-red gorget with some hints of yellow.

Female Rufous hummingbirds:
The female Rufous hummingbird is less colorful than the male because it lacks a gorget and iridescent feathers. In the wild, confusion may arise, though, because certain females have stippling or color specs along their throat line that resemble juvenile characteristics.
They are slightly larger than the males in anticipation of producing offspring.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

They have one of the northernmost breeding ranges of any hummingbird in the world; migrating north from Mexico and nesting as far north as Alaska to breed during the summer months.
They are polygamous and will mate with several partners in a season.
Read my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)
Read my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Juvenile Rufous hummingbirds:
In the wild, juvenile Rufous hummingbirds and Allen’s hummingbirds are nearly identical in terms of color and behavior. Therefore, range rather than appearance is used to establish identity.

Juvenile Rufous male’s rustic appearance is attributed to the iridescent orange dots on their neck.

Note: His throat feathers are slowly coming in, displaying a few dots of color near his neckline and showing the first stages of adolescence.

Baby Rufous hummingbirds:
Baby Rufous hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

To see the current sighting map of the Rufous hummingbird in Louisiana, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Rufous hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

10% of all Louisiana hummingbird sightings will be Rufous hummingbirds.
On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Name of State 1,002 will be the Rufous hummingbird.

Of all the birds in the world, rufous hummingbirds migrate within the United States for the longest period of time. Every year, they traverse 3,900 miles in a clockwise manner around western America.

This migratory pattern during the seasons coordinates their arrival perfectly while catching nectar and blooming flowers throughout the year, fueling their bodies for their long journey.

In order to support a healthy migration, hummingbird enthusiasts are very beneficial when they cultivate blooming plants to draw hummingbirds and supply feeders with homemade hummingbird nectar. These friendly environments offer and guarantee safe trips in addition to a dependable haven for relaxation and refueling while on the road.

A large number of Rufous hummingbirds will choose to move south to Mexico rather than stay in Louisiana for the winter. Hummingbirds, however, can withstand far lower temperatures than most people think.

According to eBird.org, through branding practices in Wisconsin, the Rufous and Ruby-throated hummingbirds are documented surviving in temperatures of -9F and wind chills of -36F.
Read my article: 3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Many Louisiana hummingbird admirers leave hummingbird feeders up all winter long to provide life-nourishing nectar to the most commonly seen residents: the Rufous and Ruby-throated hummingbirds.

This selfless act also provides nectar to other injured or older hummingbirds that are unable to migrate.
Read my article: 11 DIY Ways to Keep Hummingbird Nectar From Freezing

When it comes to other hummingbirds and animals, Rufous hummingbirds are fiercely possessive and hostile. They are known for being aggressive and bold, driving large birds and rodents away from their favorite feeders in addition to other hummingbirds.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

It has even been observed that female mothers may attack squirrels and chipmunks that approach their nest too closely.

Due to their remarkable memory, rufous hummingbirds have been observed to search for an abandoned hummingbird feeder years after it has been taken down.
Read my article: Hummingbird Adaptation and Remarkable Ability to Locate Food

Because of their unparalleled flying acrobatics, Rufous hummingbirds are fierce competitors at feeders, outmaneuvering all other species.

With other hummingbird species, including Anna’s hummingbirds, Rufous hummingbirds easily hybridize and crossbreed.

IUCN Red List classifies the Rufous hummingbird as “near threatened” because of habitat destruction in the Pacific Northwest.

In British Columbia, during a banding operation, the oldest living Rufous hummingbird was documented at 8 years and 10 months old.
Read my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Buff-bellied Hummingbird:

BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD – (Amazilia yucatanensis)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Amazilia
Species: A. yucatanensis

The scientific name for the Buff-bellied Hummingbird is Amazilia yucatanensis. This bird species got its common name from its distinctive buff-colored belly. The word “buff” in this context refers to a light yellowish-brown color, which is a notable feature of this bird’s plumage. The combination of its unique buff-colored belly and its hummingbird characteristics led to the straightforward naming of this species as the Buff-bellied hummingbird.

Male Buff-bellied hummingbirds:
Male Buff-bellied hummingbirds have a turquoise-colored, blue-grey gorget. Their distinctive features include a rusty brownish gold forked tail and a shiny, iridescent bronze olive green back. Under certain lights, their dark brown wings might seem black. They have a chestnut-colored underside and a reddish-orange bill with a black tip.
They have a medium build, measuring between 3.9 and 4.3 inches in length and weighing between 4-5 grams.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female Buff-bellied hummingbirds:
Compared to their male counterparts, female Buff-bellied hummingbirds tend to be less colorful and dull-looking, and they typically lack iridescent feathers.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

According to Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Buff-bellied hummingbirds prefer to nest in large shrubs or deciduous trees such as Anachuita, Ebony, Hackberry (the cousin to the American elm), Texas Ebony, and sometimes Willows.  These plants have dense foliage and forgiving tree branches useful for building a nest.

Juvenile Buff-bellied hummingbirds:
Male and female juvenile Buff-bellied hummingbirds initially resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the iridescent feathers that are characteristic of this species of hummingbird. The color of the juvenile’s chest and throat has a dimmer gray tone.

Baby Buff-bellied hummingbirds:
Baby Buff-bellied hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

To see the current sighting map of the Buff-bellied hummingbirds in Louisiana, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Buff-bellied hummingbirds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

4% of all Louisiana hummingbird sightings will be the Buff-bellied hummingbirds.
On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana 412 will be the Buff-bellied hummingbird.

Native primarily to the Gulf Coast of the United States, Mexico, and Central America, Buff-bellied hummingbirds inhabit a range of environments including open woodlands, edges of forests, and gardens. They are particularly adaptable to different habitats, including suburban areas with suitable floral resources.

Some populations of Buff-bellied hummingbirds are partially migratory, moving northward along the Gulf Coast during the breeding season and returning south in the winter.

Some populations of Buff-bellied Hummingbirds are partially migratory, moving northward along the Gulf Coast during the breeding season and returning south in the winter.

Buff-bellied hummingbirds crossbreed with Berylline and Rufous hummingbirds.

Males engage in courtship displays, which include a variety of flashy flights and vocalizations, to entice females during mating season. The female is the only one who builds the nest and raises the young. Usually, in a tree or shrub, she weaves spider webs and plant fibers to form a tiny, cup-shaped nest. She typically lays two white eggs and spends almost two weeks incubating them.

In Texas, a capture and release banding operation resulted in the oldest male Buff-bellied hummingbird ever reported to be 11 years and 2 months old.
See my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Black-chinned Hummingbird:

BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD – (Archilochus alexandri)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Archilochus
Species: A. alexandri

The Black-chinned hummingbird’s scientific name is in commemoration of Dr. Alexandre, a French doctor who was the first to discover the species in Mexico.

Male Black-chinned hummingbirds:
The royal purple gorget resembling a buttoned-up shirt with a small flash of color right near the neckline is the distinguishing feature of male Black-chinned hummingbirds. The male’s purple gorget or throat in some lighting at times looks entirely black.
Their flanks and backs are metallic green, while their undersides are white. They have a black bill and a forked dark tail.
Their length ranges from 3.25 to 3.5 inches, and they weigh between 2.8 and 5.6 grams.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female Black-chinned hummingbirds:
Compared to their male counterparts, female Black-chinned hummingbirds are less colorful and lack a gorget and iridescent feathers. White tips and beige edges on the dorsal feathers, which turn dark black as they age, adorn their dark, rounded tail, which has a white underbelly.  They have dull metallic marbled colors on their head and backs that resemble snake scales: beige, green, white, yellow-green, and dark brown.
Read my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile Black-chinned hummingbirds:
Male and female juvenile Black-chinned hummingbirds initially resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the iridescent feathers that are characteristic of this species of hummingbird.

Baby Black-chinned hummingbirds:
Baby Black-chinned hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

To see the current sighting map of the Black-chinned hummingbird in Louisiana, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Black-chinned Hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

4% of all Louisiana hummingbird sightings will be Black-chinned hummingbirds.
On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana 410 will be the Black-chinned hummingbird.

Black-chinned hummingbirds breed to the east of the Cascade mountain range. By employing a decoy tactic, they are known to build their nests close to larger, busier bird nests, hence decreasing the likelihood of predators nearby.

Of all extant mammals or vertebrates, Black-chinned hummingbirds have the least amount of genetic material known to science. Due to their little size, they run the risk of becoming prey for larger birds that consume insects.
See my article: 10 Common Things That Kill Hummingbirds

Particularly while protecting “their” feeders, hummingbirds come across as the most ruthless sheriff in the area due to their intense territoriality. To defend nectar sources full of blooming plants that attract hummingbirds, they will engage in territorial conflicts.

Although Black-chinned hummingbirds are a territorial species, they will become less aggressive and learn to share if they happen to be in an area with a high hummingbird population and food sources.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

Black-chinned hummingbirds easily hybridize and interbreed with other hummingbird species, including Costa’s and Anna’s. The lifespan of a Black-chinned hummingbird is an astounding ten years, compared to other animals and birds of comparable size.

In Texas, during a banding and capture effort, the oldest known female Black-chinned hummingbird was 11 years and 2 months old.
See my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Calliope Hummingbird:

CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD – (Selasphorus calliope)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Selasphorus
Species: S. calliope

Calliope hummingbirds are named after a Greek mythological muse, who represented poetry and eloquence. Calliope means “beautiful voice” in ancient Greek.

Male Calliope hummingbirds:
The long, stunning row of feathers that protrude down the sides of the throat and their iridescent purple cap are characteristics that make male Calliope hummingbirds clearly identifiable.
These hummingbirds, which are 3 inches long and weigh 2-3 grams, have shiny green backs like many others.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female Calliope hummingbirds:
The female Calliope hummingbird is less colorful than the male and lacks a gorget and iridescent feathers. Their head’s crown, or top, has a grayish-green hue. The buff hue of the flanks refers to the sides, underbelly, and area beneath the wings.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile Calliope hummingbirds:
Male and female juvenile Calliope hummingbirds initially resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the iridescent feathers that are characteristic of this species of hummingbird.

Note: His bright throat feathers are slowly coming in.

Baby Calliope hummingbirds:
Baby Calliope hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

To see the current sighting map of the Calliope hummingbird in Louisiana, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Calliope hummingbird. (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

2% of all Louisiana hummingbird sightings will be Calliope hummingbirds.
On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana, 194 will be the Calliope hummingbird.

Like many other hummingbirds, Calliopes use their feathers to manipulate their flight path in order to produce a variety of buzzing noises that serve as a type of language.

The male will fervently fly back and forth and perform a “U” shaped courtship display to get the attention of the female when she is quietly perched. The male hummingbird will perform a vocal serenade for the female while swaying his body back and forth in front of her.
See my article: Hummingbird Dance: 5 Interpretive Explanations

A breeding area is established by male Calliope hummingbirds, who mate with any female that accepts their wooing.

In terms of social behavior, Lucifer Hummingbirds are generally solitary, especially outside of the breeding season. They can be territorial, with males often defending prime feeding territories from other hummingbirds.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

Calliope hummingbirds hybridize and readily crossbreed with other hummingbird species, such as the Costa’s hummingbird.

The female Calliope selects the tips of pine cones as her building site for building her nest. Along with stealing materials from other birds’ nests to build her own, she will also disassemble and recycle previous seasons’ nests in her own.

Therefore, larger and more aggressive hummingbirds, such as Allen’s and Rufous hummingbirds, frequently chase and attack female Calliopes. Compared to other species, the Calliope keeps a low profile in order to evade these attacks.

The world’s smallest long-distance migratory bird is the Calliope hummingbird. Their springtime migration patterns resemble those of Rufous hummingbirds. Throughout their northward spring migration, they traverse the Pacific Flyways.

On their southbound journey in the fall, they pass through the Pacific and Rocky Mountain Flyways towards their wintering destination in Mexico.

Calliope hummingbirds are especially susceptible to habitat loss and natural catastrophes like wildfires and climate change because they have a smaller wintering range than other hummingbird species.

The oldest known female Calliope hummingbird was twice captured during a 2007 and 2014 banding operation in Idaho. She was 8 years and 11 months old at the time of her capture.
See my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Louisiana Hummingbirds That Are Rare/Vagrant

There are nine Louisiana hummingbirds classified as rare or vagrant hummingbirds. They are the Broad-tailed, Broad-billed, Allen’s, Blue-throated Mountain-gem, Anna’s, Mexican Violetear, Rivoli’s, Green-breasted Mango, and Lucifer hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds that live in a group outside of their typical geographic range are classified as belonging to this category. These hummingbird species not only span a vast range of distinct geographic areas, but they are also known to occasionally interbreed, giving rise to hybrids.

Despite being outside of their typical range, these hummingbirds have been reported sightings in Louisiana.

Certain seasonal hummingbirds may decide to spend the whole winter in Louisiana due to old age, injury, or choice.

To see a current sighting map of Louisiana Rare/Vagrant hummingbirds, click the links below:

Broad-tailed Hummingbird:

BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD – (Selsaphoris platycercus)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Selsaphoris
Species: S. platycercus

The scientific name of the Broad-tailed hummingbird is Selasphorus platycercus. This species got its common name from the notably broad tail of the males, which is a distinguishing feature among hummingbirds. This broad tail, when combined with the hummingbird’s flight patterns, creates a distinctive trilling sound that is also a characteristic of the species. The combination of visual and auditory traits played a significant role in the naming of this bird.

Male Broad-tailed hummingbirds:
An iridescent ruby-red gorget is seen on male Broad-tailed hummingbirds. Males and females alike, the Broad-tailed hummingbird is characterized by its green upperparts, light underbelly, vivid white eye rings, and widely rounded tails.
They have a medium build, measure from 3.3 and 3.8 inches in length, and weigh 3.6 grams.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female Broad-tailed hummingbirds:
The female Broad-tailed hummingbird is less colorful than the male and lacks a gorget and iridescent feathers. Their underbellies are pale to beige, with vivid white eye rings and broadly rounded tails. Their topsides are green, extending from the head to the tail.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile Broad-tailed hummingbirds:
Male and female juvenile Broad-tailed hummingbirds initially resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the iridescent feathers that are characteristic of this species of hummingbird.

Baby Broad-tailed hummingbirds:
Baby Broad-tailed hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

To see the current sighting map of the Broad-tailed hummingbird in Louisiana, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Broad-tailed hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

0.7% of all Louisiana hummingbird sightings will be Broad-tailed hummingbirds.
On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana, 69 will be the Broad-tailed hummingbird.

The Broad-tailed hummingbird travels frequently to the United States near the southern Mexican border.

They have a migrant and non-migrant population that begins in the south of Mexico. The ones that migrate north to breed will do so during spring migration and will pass through Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho, and reach as far north as Montana.

Once the breeding season is complete, Broad-tailed hummingbirds will depart and begin their southbound fall migration to winter in Mexico and meet up with their non-migrant population.

The Broad-tailed hummingbird favors habitats in the understory of mature forest woodlands such as pine and oak groves. They chose to nest on the branches of trees and have been known to return to the same nesting ground each year, roughly 70% of the time.

Their breeding time coincides with the peak time of flowering native plants for maximum food resource availability. Their favorite nectar-producing flower plants include Red Columbine, Indian Paintbrush, Sage varieties, Currants, and Scarlet Mint.

Broad-tailed hummingbirds hybridize and readily crossbreed with other hummingbird species, such as the Costa’s hummingbird.

The Broad-tailed hummingbird has suffered a decline in population since the 1990s, but presently, its population is stable, and it has been shown to have adapted to human habitat encroachment.

The oldest living Broad-tailed hummingbird, a female, was 12 years and 2 months, recorded during a capture and release banding operation in Colorado.
See my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Allen’s Hummingbird

ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD – (Selasphorus sasin)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Selasphorus
Species: S. sasin

The scientific name of the Allen’s hummingbird is Selasphorus sasin. The common name of the Allen’s hummingbird is in commemoration of Charles Andrew Allen (1841-1930), an American collector and taxidermist.

Male Allen’s hummingbirds:
Male Allen’s hummingbirds are green-backed with a green forehead and rust-colored flanks, rump, and tail. When their tail feathers are fanned out you can see their chocolate-colored tips. The gorget of the male Allen’s hummingbird is an iridescent orange-red, however, in darker lighting, it can appear chocolate brown.
Allen’s hummingbirds are 3.3 inches to 3.5 inches in length and weigh 2-4 grams.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Note: The iridescent orange-red forget.

Female Allen’s hummingbirds:
The female Allen’s hummingbird is less colorful than the male because it lacks the iridescent gorget. In the wild, confusion may arise because certain females have stippling or color specs along their throat lines that resemble juvenile characteristics.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Allen’s hummingbirds commonly reside and nest along the west coast and winter in Mexico. Their nesting season is perfectly timed with when the regions have the most rainfall which helps provide prolific nectar-producing flowers for their offspring.

Juvenile Allen’s hummingbirds:
Both male and female juvenile Allen’s hummingbirds first resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the characteristic iridescent feathers of this species of hummingbird.

In the field, they are nearly identical to Rufous hummingbirds due to their striking similarity in colors and disposition.
Therefore, range rather than appearance is used to establish identity.

Note: Depending on the lighting, the gorget may appear chocolate brown. Additionally, you will see that he still has some fluffy white down feathers at his bottom, indicating that he is in the latter stages of adolescence rather than being a fully grown adult.

Baby Allen’s hummingbirds:
Baby Allen’s hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Note: He is guarding a neighboring feeder with diligence. Take note of the developmental differences between the juvenile in the last shot on the tomato cage and the current photo on the outside light wire.
They both have fluffy white feathers near their bottoms, yet there is a noticeable age difference between youth and maturity.

To see the current sighting map of Louisiana’s Allen’s hummingbirds, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Allens’s hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

1.35% of all Louisiana hummingbird sightings will be Allen’s hummingbirds.
On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana, only 245 will be of Allen’s hummingbird.

Male Allen’s hummingbirds engage in a dramatic, fast-paced courtship dance that mimics a pendulum’s swing. Of all the hummingbirds in North America, their territorial dive displays are among the most intricate.
See my article: Hummingbird Dance: 5 Interpretive Explanations

Allen’s hummingbirds, both male and female, are gregarious birds. Other than mating, they do not interact with each other. Allen’s hummingbirds are fiercely territorial and hostile toward other hummingbirds as well as larger predatory birds like hawks, much like Rufous hummingbirds.

Allen’s hummingbirds are primarily found in coastal parts of California and Oregon, USA. They prefer habitats like gardens, forested or shrubby areas, and coastal chaparral. They migrate to southern Mexico in the winter, covering quite long distances for such small birds.

Allen’s hummingbirds are highly territorial, especially the males during the breeding season. They engage in aggressive aerial displays to defend their feeding territories from intruders. These displays include high-speed chases and intricate flight patterns.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

Usually found in trees or shrubs, females use plant materials and spider webs to construct tiny, cup-shaped nests. Each time they attempt to reproduce, they lay one to two eggs, which they then incubate for two to three weeks. For several weeks after hatching, the young remain totally reliant on their mother for nourishment and protection until they are able to fly.

In their natural range, Allen’s hummingbirds often visit gardens and areas with bird feeders. They are a favorite among bird watchers and nature enthusiasts for their colorful appearance and lively behavior.

The future of Allen’s hummingbirds, like many species, is closely tied to environmental factors and human influence on their habitats. Habitat loss and the use of pesticides are among the challenges they face. Efforts to preserve natural habitats, along with responsible gardening and the maintenance of bird feeders, can aid in their conservation.

Understanding and protecting Allen’s hummingbirds is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance and for the continued enjoyment of future generations who will marvel at this vibrant and lively bird.

In 2004, and again in 2009, the oldest known living Allen’s hummingbird was taken during a California banding program that involved catch and release. She was 5 years and 11 months old at the time.
See my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Broad-billed Hummingbird

BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD – (Cynanthus latirostris)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Cynanthus
Species: C. latirostris

The Broad-billed hummingbird, scientifically named Cynanthus latirostris, is known for its distinctive broad bill, which is the origin of its common name.
Their broad bills are particularly adapted for feeding on a variety of flowers.

Although most of the population of Broad-billed hummingbirds remains in Mexico and Central America throughout the year, they are a Mexican species that regularly visits the United States close to the southern Mexican border.

Male Broad-billed hummingbirds:
The brilliant blue-green gorget of male Broad-billed hummingbirds stretches back towards their shoulders. Male juveniles display a full charcoal dark gray body with light green neck and backside, and flecks of metallic blue on their throat.
They have a long, brilliant orange-red beak with a distinctive black tip.
Their length varies from 3.25 to 4 inches, and they weigh between 3 and 4 grams.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female Broad-billed hummingbirds:
Generally speaking, female Broad-billed hummingbirds lack iridescent feathers and have a duller appearance than males. Their bill is entirely black, with a larger white accent over their eyes. They can be recognized by their mainly metallic green upperparts and white undersides. Their tails are forked and have a black tint.

Nests made by Broad-billed hummingbirds are identified by their lack of lichen decoration on the exterior. Instead, the birds prefer to build their nests utilizing outside grass fibers, leaf fragments, and bark, and then utilize spider webs to secure and maintain the structure of the nest. The female constructs a nest that is suspended from a single, long, thin branch.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile Broad-billed hummingbirds:
Male and female juvenile Broad-billed hummingbirds initially resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the iridescent feathers that are characteristic of this species of hummingbird.

Baby Broad-billed hummingbirds:
Baby Broad-billed hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

To see the current sighting map of Louisiana’s Broad-billed hummingbirds, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Broad-billed hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

0.35% of all Louisiana hummingbird sightings will be Broad-billed hummingbirds.
On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana, only 35 will be of the Broad-billed hummingbird.

Broad-billed hummingbirds are native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and down into Central America. They prefer habitats such as canyons, riverine woodlands, and sometimes gardens or urban areas with suitable flowering plants.

Particularly while defending “their” feeders, Broad-billed hummingbirds come across as the meanest sheriff in the community due to their intense territoriality. They will engage in territorial conflicts to defend nectar sources that are home to blooming plants that attract hummingbirds.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

Surprisingly, the Broad-billed hummingbird has demonstrated a real overall population growth in recent years, in contrast to other hummingbird population surveys.

The future of the Broad-billed hummingbird, like many wildlife species, depends on the preservation of their habitats and understanding the impacts of environmental changes. Conservation efforts and responsible practices in gardening and feeder maintenance can aid in their survival.

When the oldest male Broad-billed hummingbird was caught and released in Arizona during a banding operation, he was 9 years and 1 month old.
See my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Blue-throated Mountain-gem

BLUE-THROATED MOUNTAIN-GEM HUMMINGBIRD aka BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD – (Lampornis clemenciae)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Lampornis
Species: L. clemenciae

Prior to 2019 the Blue-throated Mountain-gem was known simply as the Blue-throated hummingbird but was renamed to the Blue-throated Mountain-gem to better identify it as a member of the genus Lampornis.

The Blue-throated Mountain-gem, scientifically named Lampornis clemenciae, is a species of hummingbird named for its distinctive blue throat patch, most prominently seen in males. This feature is the origin of its common name. The species is also known as the Blue-throated hummingbird.

One of the bigger hummingbird species in North America, the Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbird is distinguished by its comparatively large size and the eye-catching hue of its male neck. These birds range from the southwestern United States through Mexico and into Central America, where they live in mountain woodlands and margins, especially in pine-oak forests.

The Chisos Mountains in Texas or the “sky island” mountain ranges in southeast Arizona are one of the best places to find and identify Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds.

Male Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds:
Male Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds have striking white stripes across both of their eyes and a vivid, iridescent cobalt blue gorget.
His tail tips are painted white, and his wings and tail are also dark. The entire body of the Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbird is drab greenish-gray, with additional patches of grayish-emerald green on the head, neck, and upper portion of the shoulder where the wing connects.
They weigh between 8.1 and 8.6 grams and have a length of 4.3 to 4.7 inches.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds:
Compared to their male counterparts, female Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds tend to have duller appearances and lack the characteristic blue throat feathers that glisten in the sunlight. They have gray underparts and a double white stripe on their face.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds:
Male and female juvenile Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds initially resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the iridescent feathers that are characteristic of this species of hummingbird.

Baby Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds:
Baby Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

To see the current sighting map of Louisiana’s Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Blue-throated Mountain-gem  hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

0.15% of all Louisiana hummingbird sightings will be Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds.
On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana, only 15 will be of the Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbird.

The Cornell Lab reports that Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds weigh three times as much as Ruby-throated hummingbirds. The largest hummingbird species known to nest in the United States is this hummingbird.

Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds have the slowest reported wingbeat rate of any known hummingbird, in part due to their size. A hummingbird with a longer wingspan can flap its wings in a figure-eight pattern far more quickly and forcefully than a smaller, more delicate hummingbird.

Consider it visually on a wider scale, comparing the length of a crow’s wingspan (2.8-3.3 feet) to that of a Bald eagle, which ranges in length from 5.9-7.5 feet. Remaining active for one requires more work than the other.

Before mating, the majority of hummingbirds in North America perform a courtship dance to attract females and grab their attention. The exception to this is that male Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds do not do an aerial display. The females, on the other hand, indicate to the male that he has been selected and that she is prepared for copulation with a recognizable call and a series of brief flights.

The mountainous Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbird like building their nests atop human residential structures or on overhanging rocks. It is known that they build new nests on top of older nests to resemble a tall tower, and that they return to the same nest every year.

Like most hummingbirds, Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbirds become territorial and hostile for flower varieties with a greater sugar content, and they will fight back against intruders. Because of their size, which requires them to consume a lot of insects for sustenance, they devour more insects than any other species of hummingbird.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

Blue-throated Mouintain-gem hummingbirds hybridize with other hummingbird species holding little to no judgment on choosing a larger species, such as the Rivoli’s aka Magnificent hummingbird or a smaller species, the Anna’s, Black-chinned, and Costa’s hummingbirds with which to procreate.

The oldest male Blue-throated Mountain-gem hummingbird known to science is 7 years and 11 months old. He was captured and released during an Arizona banding operation.
See my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Anna’s Hummingbird

ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD – (Calypte anna) 

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Calypte
Species: C. anna

The Anna’s hummingbird, scientifically known as Calypte anna, gets its common name from Anna Masséna, the Duchess of Rivoli.

Male Anna’s hummingbirds:
In North America, male Anna’s hummingbirds are the only species of hummingbirds with a red crown. Their predominant colors are magenta, gray, and green.
The male gorget and crown are iridescent magenta, and they are very vivid and showy.
They weigh between 2.4 and 4.5 grams and have lengths ranging from 3.5 to 4.3 inches.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Note: The metallic green glossy back with iridescent magenta gorget and crown.

Female Anna’s hummingbirds:
Female Anna’s hummingbirds are pale green in hue, not as brilliant as the males.
Although a showy gorget is more prevalent on the males, females can also have them, showing a tiny area of magenta.
Females are identified by the faint white line that usually covers each eye.

Female Anna’s hummingbirds raise their young with no help from the males.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile Anna’s hummingbirds:
Juvenile Anna’s hummingbirds, both male and female, look more like adult females until they are differentiated as the male begins to acquire the bright red/magenta gorget.

Note: This Anna’s hummingbird may be a youngster going through the awkward adolescent years, or it may be in the process of molting.

Baby Anna’s hummingbirds:
Baby Anna’s hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Note: The magenta head feathers of this baby/juvenile male Anna’s hummingbird are starting to show at his temple and a hint of color is beginning to appear on his gorget. Also, notice the great fat reserves he has amassed from being fed by his vigilant mother and his newly white fluffy down feathers near his bottom.

To see the current sighting map of Louisiana’s Anna’s hummingbirds, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Anna’s hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

0.14% of all Louisiana hummingbird sightings will be Anna’s hummingbirds.
On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana, only 13 will be of the Anna’s hummingbird.

The only hummingbird to reside year-round on the Pacific Coast, the Anna’s hummingbird is a native of the west coast of North America. It enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and fairly wet winters.

This species is a year-round resident in much of its range, unlike many other hummingbirds that migrate.

Male Anna’s are notable for their remarkable diving displays during mating season and their ability to thrive in urbanized areas.

The male Anna’s hummingbird executes dramatic and captivating displays during courtship and diving. The entire dive display lasts 12 seconds from start to finish.
See my article: Hummingbird Dance: 5 Interpretive Explanations

Unlike many northern temperate hummingbirds, male Anna’s hummingbirds sing during courtship along with making vibrations with their tail feathers to attract a female.

Anna’s hummingbirds protect their territory with elaborate dives targeted towards predatory birds and even towards people they perceive to be threatening.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

Anna’s hummingbirds hybridize and readily crossbreed with other hummingbird species, such as the Black-chinned, Costa’s, and Rufous hummingbirds.

The oldest male Anna’s hummingbird known to exist was 8 years and 2 months old when he was captured and released during a banding expedition in Arizona.
See my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Mexican Violetear Hummingbird

MEXICAN VIOLETEAR (aka GREEN VIOLETEAR) HUMMINGBIRD – (Colibri thalassinus)  

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Colibri
Species: C. thalassinus

Scientifically speaking, the Mexican Violetear is a species of hummingbird, Colibri thalassinus.
Thalassinus is a Latin term meaning “color of the sea.” The characteristic violet patch of feathers on the sides of this hummingbird’s head, which mimics an ear, gave rise to its popular name. The “violetear” description is accurate and vivid because of this bright patch that stands out against the bird’s otherwise green plumage.

Male Mexican Violetear hummingbirds:
The term “violet-ears” refers to the iridescent green color of male Mexican Violetear hummingbirds, which have brilliant violet ear patches on either side of their neck.
This hummingbird has metallic blue-green tail feathers with a black band underneath the bronze tail feathers in the center.
They weigh between 5 and 6 grams and have lengths ranging from 3.8 to 4.7 inches.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female Mexican Violetear hummingbirds:
Females typically have a less vibrant coloration compared to males. They have a primarily green plumage, which can appear as a dull green or blue-green. The green is iridescent and may shine with different intensities and hues in various lighting conditions.
The violet ear patches are present in females but are often less pronounced than in males.
The underparts of the female are typically a duller green compared to the males, and they may have some grayish or whitish markings.
The tail is typically dark, forked, and can have some blue or green iridescence. It is usually less spectacular than that of the male.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile Mexican Violetear hummingbirds:
Male and female Mexican Violetear hummingbirds in their juvenile years resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the characteristic iridescent violet ear patches on either side of his neck.

Baby Mexican Violetear hummingbirds:
Baby Mexican Violetear hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

To see the current sighting map of Louisiana’s Mexican Violetear hummingbirds, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Mexican Violetear hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

0.02% of all Louisiana hummingbird sightings will be Mexican Violetear hummingbirds.
On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana, only 2 will be of the Mexican Violetear hummingbird.

From Mexico to Nicaragua, these hummingbird species are found on the outskirts of cloud forests, where they thrive in an environment with high levels of tropical humidity. It is common to see this dark hummingbird at forest margins and clearings.

Mexican Violetear hummingbirds are semi-nomadic. Since they have not been thoroughly examined, scientists know very little about their migration patterns. However, based on available data, the Mexican Violetear is primarily distributed in northern South America, middle Mexico, and middle America.

Although Mexican Violetear hummingbirds are typically permanent residents of their natural habitat, a few individuals have strayed and ventured as far north as Wisconsin, Michigan, and even Canada.

Much like a lot of other hummingbird species, the Mexican Violetear hummingbird nests alone. Although they do not feed in flocks, these hummingbirds are observed in groups around flowering trees, such as the coffee-shading Inga tree, where they scavenge for nectar and insects.

In terms of social behavior, Mexican Violetear hummingbirds are generally solitary, especially outside of the breeding season. They can be territorial, with males often defending prime feeding territories from other hummingbirds.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

The oldest known Mexican Violetear hummingbird was documented to be at least 11 years and 2 months old. This information is based on banding records, where birds are captured, banded with a unique identification ring, and then potentially recaptured or found in the future. The age of this particular Mexican Violetear was determined by the length of time between its initial banding and its last documented recapture or sighting.
See my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Rivoli’s Hummingbird

RIVOLI’S HUMMINGBIRD aka MAGNIFICENT – (Eugenes fulgens)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Eugenes
Species: E. fulgens

The scientific name for the Rivoli’s hummingbird is Eugenes fulgens. This species was formerly known as the Magnificent hummingbird, a term that perfectly captures its incredible grace and size.

The birding enthusiast Victor Massena, the Duke of Rivoli, was honored with the renaming of the Rivoli’s hummingbird. The common name “Rivoli’s hummingbird” was changed to recognize his contributions to ornithology and his love of bird research. This renaming is a part of a larger trend in ornithology, which is a move away from descriptive names and toward names that recognize and honor notable figures in the discipline. Whatever name it goes by, the Rivoli’s hummingbird is still a species of curiosity and beauty because of its remarkable look and great size.

Male Rivoli’s hummingbirds:
Unless they are in direct daylight, the violet crown, vivid blue-green gorget, and white eyespots of male Rivoli’s hummingbirds become more noticeable due to iridescence.
They weigh 6–10 grams and range in length from 4.3 to 5.5 inches.

Although the Blue-throated Mountain-gem is the largest hummingbird in the United States, Rivoli’s hummingbirds are thought to be the second largest.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female Rivoli’s hummingbirds:
The female’s more subdued coloration plays a crucial role in camouflage, especially during nesting, when they need to stay hidden from predators while incubating eggs and raising their young.

Unlike the iridescent emerald or blue-green seen in males, the females tend to have a more muted, olive or bronze-green hue. The throat and chest of the female is pale gray or whitish, lacking the brilliant metallic colors seen in males. This area might have some speckles or mottled patterns.
Female Rivoli’s hummingbirds are generally similar in size to the males but can be slightly smaller.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile Rivoli’s hummingbirds:
Both male and female juvenile Rivoli’s hummingbirds resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the distinctive violet crown, vivid blue-green gorget, and white eyespots of this species.

Note: He still has some baby-era white fluffy feathers near his bottom, indicating that he is not yet an adult and is still in the later stages of adolescence.

Baby Rivoli’s hummingbirds:
Baby Rivoli’s hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

To see the current sighting map of Louisiana’s Rivoli’s hummingbirds, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Rivoli’s hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

On average, out of 20,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana, only 1 will be of the Rivoli’s hummingbird.

Rivoli’s love to dwell in ravines; they nest in trees that hang over streams and creeks, and they graze in open meadows. They construct their nests in evergreen coniferous trees like juniper, pine, and fir as part of their breeding habitat.

Rivoli’s hummingbirds are found in mountainous regions ranging from the southwestern United States through Mexico and into Central America. Their range extends as far south as Nicaragua.
They are often seen at elevations ranging from 6,500 to 9,800 feet.
Their preference for high elevation habitats and dense forests makes Rivoli’s hummingbirds challenging to study and observe in the wild.

In terms of social behavior, Rivoli’s hummingbirds are generally solitary, especially outside of the breeding season. They can be territorial, with males often defending prime feeding territories from other hummingbirds.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

Though rare, hybridization between Rivoli’s hummingbirds and Berylline, Broad-billed, Blue-throated Mountain-gem, and Violet-crowned hummingbirds occurs.

The oldest known male Rivoli’s hummingbird was 11 years and 2 months old when he was captured and released during a banding expedition in Arizona.
See my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Green-breasted Mango

GREEN-BREASTED MANGO – (Anthracothorax prevostii)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Anthracothorax
Species: A. prevostii

The Green-breasted Mango, with the scientific name Anthracothorax prevostii, is a hummingbird species named for its distinctive green breast, particularly evident in males.

Male Green-breasted Mango hummingbirds:
Male Green-breasted Mango hummingbirds have an iridescent green plumage with a black line running down its throat and middle of the belly, making it quite striking.
The Green-breasted Mango is relatively large for a hummingbird, typically measuring about 4.3 to 4.7 inches (11 to 12 centimeters) in length.
The weight of these birds generally ranges from 7 to 8 grams, although this can vary.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female Green-breasted Mango hummingbird:
Female Green-breasted Mango hummingbirds exhibit distinct plumage characteristics different from the males. She typically has a duller, more subdued coloration compared to the vibrant males. The female’s upperparts are mostly a dark green, which can appear less iridescent than the male’s plumage.

Unlike the male, the female has a grayish-white underbelly. There’s a distinctive dark stripe that runs down the center of the belly, starting from the throat. This stripe is a key identifying feature and contrasts with the lighter underbelly.
The tail of the female is dark, but with white tips on the outer feathers. This is in contrast to the male’s more uniformly colored tail.

The long, slightly curved bill of females is similar to that of males, but it is not as brightly colored with a black tip as that of males. Usually, the bill of the female is darker.
Typically measuring between 4.3 and 4.7 inches (11 to 12 cm) in length and weighing between 7 and 8 grams, females are similar in size to males.

Juvenile Green-breasted Mango hummingbirds:
Juvenile Green-breasted Mango hummingbirds exhibit unique characteristics distinct from their adult counterparts. Initially, they resemble the female with a more subdued color palette.

Both male and female juveniles have a grayish-white underbelly with a central dark stripe, a feature they share with adult females. Their upper parts are a duller green, and the tail feathers often have white tips, which are more pronounced in the juveniles.

Baby Green-breasted Mango hummingbirds:
Baby Green-breasted Mango hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

On average, out of 40,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana, only 1 will be of the Green-breasted Mango hummingbird.

Native to a broad region extending from Mexico down through Central America to northern South America, the Green-breasted Mango inhabits a range of environments. These include tropical and subtropical areas like open woodlands, forest edges, gardens, and even urban areas that provide suitable feeding opportunities. Their adaptation to various habitats, including human-altered landscapes, is a testament to their resilience and ecological versatility.

Their diet primarily consists of nectar, which they obtain using their long, specialized bills and rapid-flicking tongues. This nectar provides them with the high energy required for their active lifestyles. In addition to nectar, these birds also consume small insects and spiders, which provide essential proteins.

Green-breasted Mangos play an important pollination role. They unintentionally spread pollen from flower to flower as they eat nectar, which promotes plant reproduction. Their ecological significance emphasizes how crucial it is to protect their habitats and the variety of floral resources they rely on.

The mating behavior of the Green-breasted Mango is particularly intriguing. Males perform elaborate aerial displays to attract females. These displays often involve diving from great heights and making loud, mechanical noises with their wings to draw attention.

The female Green-breasted Mango constructs a tiny, cup-shaped nest using plant fibers and spider webs as part of her nesting rituals. The nest is perched atop a branch or in an area that provides some shelter from the weather and potential predators. The female lays two white eggs, which she spends two to three weeks incubating.

The breeding season of the Green-breasted Mango varies between late winter and early summer in regions where they are found. 

See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

In terms of social behavior, the Green-breasted Mango are generally solitary birds, especially outside of the breeding season. They can be territorial, with males often defending prime feeding territories from other hummingbirds.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

The Green-breasted Mango’s ability to adapt has allowed it to flourish in its natural habitat. Because of their highly specialized vision for their habitat, they are able to identify flowers more easily than humans because they can see a wider variety of colors.

While some hummingbird species are known for long-distance migrations, the Green-breasted Mango does not typically undertake extensive migrations. However, some movement may occur in response to changes in food availability and environmental conditions.

In areas where their range overlaps with human populations, the Green-breasted Mango often visit gardens with flowering plants and hummingbird feeders. This interaction is beneficial for both the birds, who gain an additional food source, and for humans, who enjoy watching these beautiful creatures.

Lucifer Hummingbird

LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD – (Calothorax lucifer)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Calothorax
Species: C. lucifer

The scientific name of the Lucifer Hummingbird is Calothorax lucifer. This species received its common name, “Lucifer,” not due to any ominous associations, but rather because of its striking and distinctive appearance. The word “Lucifer” historically means “light-bringer” or “morning star,” and this name likely refers to the male’s iridescent plumage, which can shine brilliantly in the sunlight.
The name is thus a nod to the exceptional and eye-catching beauty of this bird, rather than any negative connotation.

Male Lucifer hummingbirds:
An iridescent royal purple gorget flares down on both sides of the throat in male Lucifer hummingbirds. Their back, head, and breast are green, and their bill is black with a small bend. They have deeply forked tails that are only seen when they flare or spread their tail feathers to move in the air.
They weigh between 3 and 4 grams and have a length of 3.5 inches.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird. This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article: Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female Lucifer hummingbirds:
Female Lucifer hummingbirds have a cinnamon-buffy underbelly and a paler grayish-green head color. The hue of their back wings is a dark chocolate. There is a little streak of brown under their eyes. Their tails are shorter than males.
See my article: Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile Lucifer hummingbirds:
Both male and female juvenile Lucifer hummingbirds initially resemble adult females until the male starts to develop the iridescent feathers that are characteristic of this species of hummingbird.

Baby Lucifer hummingbirds:
Baby Lucifer hummingbirds are easily identified by their undertail coverts, which are white fluffy feathers near their bottom that will disappear as they age.
See my article: Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

To see the current sighting map of Louisiana’s Lucifer hummingbirds, click the link.

Hear the sounds of the Lucifer hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

On average, out of 70,000 hummingbird sightings in Louisiana, only 1 will be of the Lucifer hummingbird.

The cane cholla (a succulent plant) that serves as the nesting site for Lucifer hummingbirds makes them particularly adapted to desert environments. Although the ocotillo is not a real cactus, it looks like one. Additionally, Lucifers construct their nests on the “stalks” of the succulent Agave lechugilla, which can reach heights of 2 to 15 feet.

These plants’ strong, pliable stalks that extend far above the ground give them height. This provides an exceptional and ideal setting for constructing a nest that is secure from predators and unnoticeable.

The Lucifer hummingbird is native to arid regions and desert scrublands. Its range extends from the southwestern United States, particularly in parts of Texas and Arizona, down through Mexico. These birds are adapted to dry environments and are often found in areas with sparse vegetation but abundant in flowering plants that are crucial for their nectar diet.

In terms of social behavior, Lucifer hummingbirds are generally solitary, especially outside of the breeding season. They can be territorial, with males often defending prime feeding territories from other hummingbirds.
See my article: Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

It is amazing to see the Lucifer hummingbird’s mating habits. To entice females, males engage in complex courtship rituals that include aerial dives and flashing their iridescent neck patch in the sun. Following the mating process, the female is responsible for building the nest and raising the offspring.

Using plant fibers and spider silk, the female constructs a tiny, cup-shaped nest, which is typically found in a protective area like a bush or tree. She incubates the two white eggs she lays for almost two weeks. The chicks are totally reliant on their mother for safety and sustenance once they hatch. Until they are ready to fly, the female feeds the chicks by regurgitating insects and nectar.

Currently, the Lucifer hummingbird is not listed as endangered or threatened. However, like many species, they are potentially vulnerable to habitat loss and environmental changes. Preservation of their natural habitats, particularly in arid and desert regions, is crucial for their continued survival.

Lucifer hummingbirds have several adaptations that enable it to thrive in arid environments. Its ability to efficiently find and utilize nectar sources is vital in habitats where food sources may be scattered. Furthermore, like many desert-adapted birds, Lucifer hummingbirds are likely efficient in their water usage and can tolerate higher temperatures than many other bird species.

Many members of the migratory Lucifer hummingbird species spend the winter in Mexico to the south. The availability of food and the state of the environment can affect the timing and scope of these migrations.

In areas where their habitats overlap with human settlements, Lucifer hummingbirds visit gardens and feeders that offer nectar. This interaction provides an opportunity for bird enthusiasts and naturalists to observe these birds up close. However, it is essential to ensure that feeders are kept clean and filled with appropriate nectar to prevent disease and provide a reliable food source for the birds.

In Texas, a capture and release banding operation resulted in the oldest male Lucifer hummingbird ever reported to be 7 years and 5 months old.
See my article:  3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Which Louisiana Hummingbirds Are Most Frequently Seen In The State?

The most frequently seen Louisiana hummingbirds are:

• Ruby-throated: 78% of all hummingbirds seen in Louisiana is the Ruby-throated hummingbird; 7,807 out of 10,000 seen will be the Ruby-throated hummingbird.
• Rufous: 10% of all hummingbirds seen in Louisiana are the Rufous hummingbird; 6,931 out of 10,000 seen will be the Rufous hummingbird.
• Buff-belled: 4% of all hummingbirds seen in Louisiana are the Buff-bellied hummingbird; 2,853 out of 10,000 seen will be the Buff-bellied hummingbird.
• Calliope hummingbird: 2% of all hummingbirds seen in Louisiana is the Calliope hummingbird; 1,346 out of 10,000 seen will be the Calliope hummingbird.

Where In The State Are Louisiana Hummingbirds Seen?

Hummingbirds are seen in Louisiana throughout the state.
Some are seen throughout the entirety of the state while others are only seen in specific limited areas of Louisiana.

To see the current areas where a specific hummingbird is documented as seen in Louisiana, click the link below to see a sighting map from eBird.

• Ruby-throated Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
• Rufous Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
•  Buff-bellied Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
•  Black-chinned Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
•  Calliope Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
•  Broad-tailed Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
•  Broad-billed Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
•  Allen’s Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
•  Blue-throated Mountain-gem Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
•  Anna’s Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
• Mexican Violetear Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
•  Rivoli’s Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
•  Green-breasted Mango Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.
•  Lucifer Hummingbirds currently being seen in Louisiana.

Read my article: Louisiana Hummingbird Migration

Check out my other posts on Hummingbird Questions

Happy Hummingbird Watching!

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